Ricardo Chavira plays tough
guy Carlos Solis on ABC’s
Desperate Housewives. But
off-camera, the macho actor has a much
softer side – especially when it comes to
family. One thing you may not know
about Ricardo is that he has twice taken
on the role of breast cancer caregiver.
First, as a teenager when his mother was
diagnosed with (and later succumbed to)
breast and ovarian cancer. Then again in
2008 when his two sisters also battled the
disease. In a recent interview with Coping
magazine, Ricardo opened up about
his family’s history with breast cancer
and his new supporting role as a
spokesperson for the Cancer Support
Community’s C.A.R.E. Campaign for
breast cancer caregivers.

What motivated you to become
a spokesperson for the C.A.R.E.
Campaign?
As someone whose life has been
personally touched by my mother and
sisters’ battle with breast cancer, I have
seen firsthand the impact the disease
has on the women who fight it and the
loved ones who support them. I am
proud to serve as the national spokesperson
for this important campaign and
am honored to be able to help others by
letting them know they are not alone
and there are free resources available
to help them through this experience.

Ricardo Chavira with
his sister Rebekah. Rebekah was diagnosed with
breast cancer in 2008.

The C.A.R.E. Campaign provides
resources, education, and support for
those caring for a loved one with breast
cancer. During my own experience as
a caregiver, I did not have access to
these valuable resources, which I believe
would have been extremely beneficial
as I dealt with the emotional and social
challenges that come with supporting a
loved one with breast cancer.

Your mother fought both breast and
ovarian cancer when you were a teenager.
How did having a parent with
cancer affect you?
It was debilitating for my whole family.
My sisters and I were thrown into
this role of caregiver to a single mother,
especially my older sister who immediately
got the job of taking care of me
and my younger sister. It impacted every
aspect of our lives, from more immediate
issues – such as our social lives and
worrying about the future – to ultimately
how we dealt with the disease and the
loss of our mother.

What was it like to take on the role
of caregiver at such a young age?
There were many ways my sisters
and I served as caregivers to my mother.
Even though we were young, we took on
many roles and responsibilities, including
household chores, paying bills, balancing
the checkbook, and even jumping on my
bike to pick up groceries. We also provided
her with support, comforting her
through the experience and going with her
when she had chemotherapy treatment.

Just over a year ago, both your sisters
were diagnosed with breast cancer.
How did that affect your family?
It was a shock to our whole family.
It took me back to the scared little boy
who had to deal with his mother’s breast
cancer and death. This time, we know
more and have access to resources to
help us through this challenging time.
While I am there to help and support
my sisters, my father has taken on the
role as the primary caregiver. I also try
to make sure my father has the support
he needs so that he continues to be
a source of support and strength for
my sisters.

What advice can you give to families
who have a loved one who is
battling cancer?
You do not have to do this alone.
There are resources available to help
you through this experience.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

According to Ricardo, “There
is a great need to address the well-being
of cancer caregivers and arm them with
strategies and skills that enhance their
ability to provide supportive care to
their loved ones while avoiding burnout.
Now, thanks to the Cancer Support
Community – with support from The
Breast Cancer Fund of National Philanthropic
Trust – we have the C.A.R.E.
Campaign for breast cancer caregivers.
The campaign offers those supporting
a loved one with free cancer resources
and support to help them through the experience.”
For more information, visit
CancerSupportCommunity.org.

This article was published in Coping® with Cancer magazine,
January/February
2010.